Latest news with #hospitalitytraining
News24
03-07-2025
- Business
- News24
How SA youth are rising with Anglo American Zimele
From the quiet streets of Limpopo, Rustenburg, and the Northern Cape to the dazzling coastlines of the Caribbean and Europe, a powerful new story is unfolding. It is one of transformation, mobility, and second chances. Dozens of unemployed youth from disadvantaged backgrounds are being trained in international hospitality and placed into life-changing work opportunities aboard luxury cruise ships. And they're not just travelling; they're thriving. 'This is a great milestone for the programme and youth development in our host communities,' says Larisha Naidoo, Head of Anglo American Zimele. 'Youth unemployment remains one of the major challenges that South Africa is facing, and this partnership is one of the ways we are contributing to reducing unemployment and poverty through impactful skilling.' The programme combines hospitality training, personal development, and international placement to provide young people with the tools, mindset, and opportunity to succeed beyond borders. From no opportunities to global experiences For many participants, this is their first formal job, their first flight, and their first time leaving South Africa. But more than anything, it's their first real encounter with dignity and possibility. 'This is not just about employment. It's about reclaiming identity,' shares one of the programme leads. 'These young people left behind communities where poverty had swallowed hope. Now, they're earning international salaries, learning new cultures, and believing in themselves in ways that once felt out of reach.' Some have used their income to build homes. Others are supporting entire households. Many are saving to start businesses of their own. The financial impact is real, but the personal growth is where the magic lives. 'I never thought I'd make it out' Behind every uniform and passport stamp is a story. A young woman who once dropped out of school due to finances is now working in Europe and supporting her siblings. A young man who had never seen the ocean is now docking in cities across the Mediterranean, learning languages, and sending money home to his grandmother. 'I never thought I'd make it out,' says one participant stationed in Italy. 'I used to wake up every day wondering if life would ever change. Now, I wake up in a new country with a sense of purpose and pride I've never felt before.' 'Coming from Kutullo Village in Steelpoort, Limpopo, I never imagined I'd be travelling across the world,'says Monica Madere, one of the programme beneficiaries. 'This opportunity didn't just change my location — it changed my mindset. I believe I can build a future now.' They speak about the discipline they've developed, the friendships they've formed across cultures, and the way this experience has redefined what they believe is possible. Beyond jobs: Building personal brands and future leaders The transformation doesn't stop at sea. As part of the programme's reintegration phase, returned beneficiaries are being supported through personal branding and career development workshops, ensuring their global experience becomes a launchpad for greater opportunities. Masterclasses have begun across provinces, starting with Limpopo, where returned seafarers are now learning to articulate their stories, update their CVs, and position themselves for long-term career growth. They are no longer just 'former cruise workers.' They are global citizens, future business owners, community role models, and storytellers of resilience. A model for youth empowerment done right As Youth Month comes to a close, this initiative offers more than inspiration. It presents a b lueprint for measurable impact. It proves what happens when intentional investment meets real opportunity. Back home, families are hopeful. Communities are inspired. And a generation that once felt forgotten is finally being seen, supported, and celebrated. This isn't just youth development. This is nation-building. Because when we dare to believe in the potential of our young people, they show us exactly what they're capable of and the world, quite literally, becomes their stage.
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Anglo American Zimele opens global doors for South Africa's youth
From rural South Africa to luxury cruise liners, a new generation is rising confident, skilled, and globally connected. From the quiet streets of Limpopo and Rustenburg to the dazzling coastlines of the Caribbean and Europe, a powerful new story is unfolding, one of transformation, mobility, and second chances. Through a visionary partnership between Anglo American Zimele, Summit, and Silversea, dozens of unemployed youth from disadvantaged backgrounds are being trained in international hospitality and placed into life-changing work opportunities aboard luxury cruise ships. And they're not just travelling; they're thriving. "This is a great milestone for the programme and youth development in our host communities," says Larisha Naidoo, head of Anglo American Zimele. "Youth unemployment remains one of the major challenges that South Africa is facing, and this partnership is one of the ways we are contributing to reducing unemployment and poverty in the areas where we operate through impactful skilling." The programme combines hospitality training, personal development, and international placement to provide young people with the tools, mindset, and opportunity to succeed beyond borders. From no opportunities to global experiences For many participants, this is their first formal job, their first flight, and their first time leaving South Africa. But more than anything, it's their first real encounter with dignity and possibility. 'This is not just about employment. It's about reclaiming identity,' shares one of the programme leads from Summit. 'These young people left behind communities where poverty had swallowed hope. Now, they're earning international salaries, learning new cultures, and believing in themselves in ways that once felt out of reach.' And the numbers tell only part of the story. Some have used their income to build homes. Others are supporting their entire households. Many are saving to start businesses of their own. The financial impact is real, but the personal growth is where the magic lives. 'I never thought I'd make it out' Behind every uniform and passport stamp is a story. A young woman who once dropped out of school due to finances is now working in Europe and supporting her siblings. A young man who had never seen the ocean, now docking in cities across the Mediterranean, learning languages, and sending money home to his grandmother. 'I never thought I'd make it out,' says one participant stationed in Italy. "I used to wake up every day wondering if life would ever change. Now, I wake up in a new country with a sense of purpose and pride I've never felt before." They speak about the discipline they've developed, the friendships they've formed across cultures, and the way this experience has redefined what they believe is possible. Beyond jobs: Building personal brands and future leaders The transformation doesn't stop at the sea. As part of the programme's aftercare and reintegration phase, returned beneficiaries are now being supported through personal branding and career development workshops, ensuring their global experience becomes a launchpad for even greater opportunities. Masterclasses have begun across provinces, starting with Limpopo, where returned seafarers are now learning to articulate their stories, update their CVs, and position themselves for long-term career growth, whether in hospitality, entrepreneurship, or beyond. They are no longer just "former cruise workers." They are global citizens, future business owners, community role models, and storytellers of resilience. A model for youth empowerment done right As Youth Month comes to a close, this partnership offers more than inspiration; it presents a blueprint for real, measurable impact. It proves what happens when corporate responsibility meets intentional investment, and when community-rooted initiatives are paired with global-scale opportunity. Back home, families are hopeful. Communities are inspired. And a generation that once felt forgotten is finally being seen, supported, and celebrated. This isn't just youth development - it's nation-building. Because when we dare to believe in the potential of our young people, they show us exactly what they're capable of, and the world, quite literally, becomes their stage.
Hospitality Net
06-06-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Doug Kennedy's Next Staff Training Webcast: Conquering Complaints, CONFIDENTLY
Sponsored By Travel Outlook and Track Hospitality Software Register your team and participate live, or view the recording, of Doug Kennedy's next 40-minute training webcast scheduled for Friday, June 20, at Noon EDT. REGISTER HERE This webcast will be of interest to all hospitality staff, supervisors who handle escalated guest situations, and managers to train and mentor their teams. Join in as Doug provides highlights from KTN's newest on-site training workshop. 'We all know it's ideal if the person who first receives a guest's complaint can receive and resolve it,' says Kennedy, 'and forcing them to wait for a manager only causes their frustration to grow, along with their expectations of compensation from someone higher up the org-chart.' Yet without proper training, frontline staff may feel ill-prepared and unqualified, even if management has said they are 'empowered' to do so. Participants in this webcast will learn the root causes of guest complaints are situationally and emotionally based and certainly not intended as a personal attack. Armed with a better understanding of their key role, easy-to-remember service recovery techniques, plus a few helpful hints borrowed from the field of psychology, your staff will gain the confidence needed for their important role. This webcast covers: Why we should welcome guest complaints and recognize that they offer us a second chance. No, it's not true that guests are getting more difficult. This incorrect perception is also caused by what psychologists call 'Rosy Retrospection.' Rather, the automation of routine guest conversations and requests has increased the odds that those who reach out are experiencing a problem or have a complaint. How to avoid commonly used 'trigger words' and phrases that can cause guests to have a mental 'spiral.' KTN's Carrot Model for understanding the root cause of guest complaints, which reminds us of the often-missing part of traditional 'service recovery' training: providing validation for their emotional (over-) reactions. Yes, there are definitely 'guest bullies' out there, so this webcast also presents copying techniques such as using your 'power of release' over negative guest encounters. Recordings of previous webcasts are available on KTN's YouTube channel and are now also being distributed on your favorite podcast channel or on KTN's Spotify channel. Everyone who registers for this and all KTN webcasts receives a link to the recording, even if they cannot attend. The 40-minute format is perfect for 'lunch and learns' or excerpts can be shared at staff meetings. The target audience is anyone who is interested in upskilling themselves or others, and the topic areas are broad enough to be relevant for all sectors of the lodging industry. 'We are grateful to the generosity of our sponsors who have allowed us to offer complimentary admission,' said Kennedy. 'It takes a lot of time to design, promote, and deliver these events, and so we would normally charge at least $99 registration per person, but this series is now completely free to all.' Sponsors include: Travel Outlook, the only KTN Certified call center, and Track Hospitality Software, a TravelNet Solution, whose products include a PMS and CRM. Complimentary registration can be accessed at Here are the additional topics scheduled so far. Monday, July 21 (Noon EDT) REGISTER HERE Despite predictions of its demise, the voice reservations channel is alive and well, and Doug will share ideas that frontline staff as well as revenue/marketing leaders can use to ensure you capture more than your 'fair share.' For decades now, many have said, 'Soon, no one will call anymore…' First was the emergence of OTA's and smartphones, then the over-sold myth of homogenous 'birth-year generations.' (Doug disproves this with data from McKinsey & Co.) Instead, guests' motivation for calling is most affected by their travel story. The higher the rate, the longer the stay, the more people traveling, and the more emotionally engaged they are with travel plans, the more likely they are to call. Smart leaders recognize that direct bookings save costly OTA commissions, enable upselling and cross-selling of amenities and activities, and allow you to 'own' the relationship. Join us as Doug shares ideas based on KTN's unique opportunity to listen in to a diversity of real-world recordings of reservations calls every day as part of its remote call scoring assessment service such as: Suggestions for Revenue, Distribution, and Marketing Leaders: How to audit your website and 'top of funnel' factors that encourage voice bookings. Plus, how to document and prove the interplay of voice and online channels. Train your team that phone calls are opportunities, not interruptions to the 'admin' type of work that falls on most reservations teams these days. Midscale, branded hotels, this one's for you too! A surprising number of potential guests still call. Training Tips for Those Answering Calls: How to turn calls appearing to simply be 'quick questions' into qualified voice leads. Better understanding the needs of today's overwhelmed, confused callers and your role in them deciding 'this' is the right property and 'now' is the best time to book! How to use updated versions of traditional probing questions. Closing techniques for a variety of call conversations and overcoming barriers to booking now. Cooking Up New Hotel Sales Friday, August 22 (Noon EDT) REGISTER HERE This month's webcast, which primarily targets hotel group and event sales staff, will also be relatable for sales professionals in all areas of the accommodations and tourism industries. Using cooking and fine dining analogies as a fun alternative to traditional sales training terminology, Doug will share innovative, actionable ideas your sales team can use to maximize revenues and capitalize on every sales opportunity. By zooming out and looking at how the profession of hotel sales is rapidly being automated by big tech solutions powered by AI, participants will be challenged to use these concepts in the near-term to ensure a long and prosperous career! Don't lose your hotel sales job to DoorDash! Keep human engagement at the core of the dining experience! Discover your 'recipe' for success. Stock up on key ingredients and select the right cooking utensils. Welcome, surprise, and delight them with amuse-bouches. Find out what the patrons truly enjoy eating. Spice up your menu descriptions. Adjust the menu for special dietary needs and preferences. Serve up a sweet-tasting dessert. Present the check with a smile! For additional details, contact KTN at [email protected] or by phone (01) 954.533.9130 About Kennedy Training Network Inc. KTN is the lodging and hospitality industry's best source for hotel training programs and supportive services in topic areas of hotel sales, catering/event sales, hotel reservations sales, and hospitality & guest service excellence. KTN President Doug Kennedy has been a fixture on the lodging and tourism conference speaking circuit for decades. Hoteliers worldwide read his monthly hotel, tourism and hospitality industry sales training articles in this publication and elsewhere. Visit or call (01) 954-533-9130. Doug Kennedy Kennedy Training Network (KTN)
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
New Luton chicken shop trained to spot child exploitation
Staff at a new chicken shop have been briefed on ways they can help prevent child Children's Society worked with employees at Chicken Cottage in Chapel Street, Luton, so they can spot the signs of grooming and take to the charity, predators can use the offer of food to gain a child's trust, so training hospitality businesses was "crucial in stamping out exploitation and supporting victims and survivors of this abuse".Jeyakumar Veeramalai, Luton Chicken Cottage franchisee, said: "Our community matters deeply to us and I'm proud to be able to lead the way in demonstrating what local businesses can do to keep our children and young people safe." The fast food chain was founded in London in 1994 and the new national partnership with The Children's Society will extend to stores across the country. Damaging issue Shops will display information to signpost customers to resources from The Children's Glover-James, the head of corporate engagement for the charity, said: "It's terrific to be a part of the opening of the first chicken shop in Luton with staff fully briefed about child exploitation from day one." According to the crime and justice specialist Crest Advisory, hundreds of thousands of children aged 11-17 in England are at risk of exploitation and serious continued: "There is no silver bullet to stop this incredibly sad and damaging issue, but reaching children and young people where they are, such as in chicken shops, is one effective approach."We hope that this partnership can prevent many more instances of child exploitation across Luton as well as raising awareness and understanding of this horrific crime among locals." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
